Asi Wind - Incredibly Human
Can you trick the audience in an honest state? That is the recurring question in Asi Batesh’s one-man show, Incredibly Human. Though to quote the man himself…
‘There is no such thing as a one-man show’.
Asi Wind’s Incredibly Human makes its UK debut in London’s West End from September 3rd 2024 to January 5th 2025. Though not exactly your classic, stagey night out in Europe’s capital of musical theatre, Asi Wind is guaranteed to be a unique, dazzling evening. Characterized as ‘One of the best magicians of our time’ (The New York Times), Asi Wind’s showmanship has the audience wrapped around his finger - or card shuffling.
The venue hosting this magical spectacle is the Underbelly Boulevard in Soho; A very interesting venue with a layout that brings the show to life in its utmost potential. The theatre’s facilities allow for incredible (pun intended, and seemed like a lost opportunity to not use it in the show) flexibility in platform levels, seat capacity and positioning that makes the overall experience immersive. Before the show begins, the set is minimal but intriguing - an essence that will be carried throughout the show. Before anyone even comes on stage, the music and lighting are setting exactly the right atmosphere, even catching the attention of the irregular theatre-goers.
It’s original, it’s fresh and engaging.
It is difficult for me to not point out certain things that I would be looking for in a traditional musical theatre production such as the concept of the fourth wall. The show requires audience interaction to work, which is the risk with its consistency in success. One wonders if a show is good as a stand-alone piece of material or if a particular audience carried it with their responsive nature. However, Asi Wind is brilliant at his craft, setting the bar high to begin with. Regardless, it did make me wonder how certain moments fluctuate depending on the spontaneity of each audience. So was the fourth wall broken? Or are there no walls to begin with? Is everything exposed to a different group of people each night, obsessively trying to find a flaw or understand the tactic behind a magic trick with no luck? It was very interesting to watch the people that were called up on stage to participate, compared to the silent observers of all the action.
Sound and lighting design in a show like this must be very difficult due to its improvised patterns in each performance. I found that sound especially differed throughout the show, when of course one is trying to match one voice’s levels at all times. It is all about finding the perfect balance of creating an intimate, coffee catchup-esque environment, while showcasing leadership, host energy and a suspense echo factor.
Asi Wind’s skills have been shown around the world, impressing and shocking thousands of people, with London folk being no exception. The amount of delicacy and detail that goes into each layer of the build-up in his work is astounding; making some great moments seem minor compared to the following grand results. At times, he tries to digress in conversation, manipulating the audience into thinking he has forgotten about the trick or trying to avoid giving the wrong answer. But just when you think it is over, he brings you back by blowing your mind.
No tabs left unopened, no gaps, no blanks, just jaw-dropping reactions to a minimalist magician; Giving you the most, while asking for the least.
